Potato grader



Aug. 3 1954 F. M. JACKSON 2,687,301

POTATO GRADER Filed July 25, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

. INVENTOR. FEED M. qnc-zsa 771 M flame/n v/Qauam Aug. 31, 1954 Filed July 25, 1952 F. M. JACKSON POTATO GRADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FEED M JACKJO l with l the same size in each group;

the steamed or peeled potatoes without material,

clear or choking or clogging Patented Aug. 31, 1954 UNITED STATE- S PATENT OFFICE 2,687,801 1 POTATO GRADER Fred M. Jackson, Federalsburg, Md. Application July25, 1952, Serial No. 300,823

This invention relates to potato graders and more particularly to a device for mechanically grading or sorting steamed or lye peeled sweet potatoes into grades or quantities of potatoes the potatoes in each the same size and difierent sized potatoes in different grades, although it may be used for sortgrade of substantially i Claims. (01. 209 -98) ing various kinds of fruits and vegetables and grading the fruits or vegetables according to size.

, It is among ,the objects of the invention to i provide an improved potato grader which will receive potatoes, such as steamed or lyeipeeled sweet potatoes, and separate the potatoes into different groups with potatoes of substantially damage to the potatoes; which maintains itself turns potatoes from a clogging position tothe ungraded mass of potatoes within the device; which will sort or grade potatoes or other objects accurately and at a rapid rateyand which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to use, and positive and eifectiverin operation. i

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following descriptionand the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is aside elevational view of a grader illustrative of the invention; Figure ,2 is a transverse cross sectional vie on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; i

Figure 3 is an end elevational, viewlooking at the right-hand end of l the grader as viewed, in

Figure l; l i it Figure l is a transversecross sectional view of the grading cylinder of the device taken on the line, 4-4 of Figure 1;, J

Figure 5 isa fragmentary end elevational view on an enlarged scale ofthe grading cylinder looking at the same end of the cylinder as that illustrated in Figure 2, but showing the parts in a different operative position; and

, Figure fi is a fragmentary cross sectional View on the line 6-6 of Figure5;

With continued reference to the drawings, the grading device or machine comprises, in gen eral, asupportingframe A, a shaftB journaled on the frame and disposed substantially horizontally therein, power mechanism C mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to the shaft B, a grading cylinder D coaxially mounted on the shaft B, a feed trough E mounted on the frame. and downwardlyinclined into one end of which will handle potato conditions and reposed above the grading cylinder D, and a bin structure F mounted on the frame below the grading cylinder to receive the graded potatoes from the cylinder.

The frame A is illustrated as formed of structural angle iron members, although it may be formed of other structural members, if desired, and is of rectangular shape including four vertically disposed posts H), ll, [2 and 13, lower side members I 4 and I 5 connected between the posts Ill and I I, and I2 and [3 respectively, near the lower ends of the posts and substantially horizontally disposed, lower end members 16 and l'l connected between the posts It) and I3, and the posts]! and [2 respectively, substantially in the plane of the lower side members i4 and 15, upper side members [8 and i9 disposed above and substantially parallel to the lower side members M and [5 respectively, and connected to the posts in the same manner as the lower side members, upper end members and 2! secured to the posts at the opposite ends of the upper side members l8 and I9 and a top end member 22 disand substantially parallel to the upperend member 2| and secured to the posts I I and I2.

Bearing blocks 23 and 24 are mounted on the upper end members 20 and 2! respectively, substantially at the mid-length location of these end members and the shaft B is journaled near its respectively opposite ends in the bearings 23 e and 24 and is disposed substantially horizontally ing an electric motor 25 in the frame A bers l8 and l9.

The power operated means C drivingly connected to the shaft B is illustrated as comprisof suitable horsepower mounted on thetop end member 22 of the frame and carrying a belt pulley 26 on its shaft 2i, a speed reducing transmission 28 mounted on the" upper end member 2| below the top end member 22 and carrying on its input shaft a belt pulley 29 larger than the belt pulley 26, a belt 3|] drivingly connecting the pulley 26 to the pulley 29, a chain sprocket 3| on the output shaft of the transmission 28, a chain sprocket 32 on the correspondingend of the shaft B, and a link chain 33 drivingly connecting the sprocket 3| to the sprocket 32, so that the shaft B is driven at a reduced speed from the motor 25. There will, of course, be a suitableenergizing circuit, not illustrated, for the motor 25, and this cirparallel to the upper side memcult willinclude the usualmotor starting and stopping switch mechanism and it is preferred that the motor be not reversible.

The grading cylinder D comprises cylinder heads 35 and 38 mounted on the shaft B in spaced apart relationship to each other. The head 36 comprises a hub 31 mounted on the shaft adjacent the bearing block 24, spokes 38, 39 and 413 projecting radially from the hub 31 at equal angular intervals around the hub, and a flat annular ring 41 secured to the spokes 38, 39 amide at the outer ends ofthe spolres and disposed coi' centrically of the shaftB and perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the shaft.

The head 35 comprises a hub t2 mounted on the shaft B at a location intermediate the length of the shaft, spokes 33, M and 4 5 projecting radially from the hub 62 at equal angular intervals around the hub, and a il at eircular ring 46 secured to the spokes 13, i t and it at the outer ends of the spokes and disposed concentrically of the shaft and perpendicular to the longitudinal, center line thereof.

slats 3i extend between the cylinder heads 35 and 35-; in spaced apartand substantially parallel relationship to each other and each of theseslats comprises. a rod-like center. portion. of. circular cross sectional shape, as indicated at 118; the ends of which. are, received, in and journaled in apertures provided in the fiatrings M. and 36, the apertures in each ring being spacedapart at substantially equal angular intervals and correspondingpapertures intthe two rings being mutually aligned longitudinally of the shaft B. It will he noted that all of the slatsvdl are pivotally ,mountediat their oppositeuends inthe cylinder heads ,35 and 36. Alternate slats are capable of rocking movement inavmannerhereinafter explained.

In the arrangement .illustrated, there are twelve slats equally spacedapart-around the-rings t6 and Al, and each slat includes, in addition.

to its rod-like center portion 48, flat wing portions lsand 5&3 disposedat respectively opposite sides of the center portion thereof and extending outwardly from the center. portion in substantially tangential relationship to a cylindrical surface which includes the inner edges of the rings :dii aIi'd -H.

Each slat includes three sections, as indicated atxE il, 52. and. 53 of respectively different widths and of. substantiallyequal length disposed in end i toend relationship with the widest section 5| adjacentthering ed-the narrowest section -53 adjacent the ring Ill, and the section 52 of 1 intermediate width disposed betweenthe sections 5| andc53. This provides,;between each-twoadjacent slats, a space having longitudinal sections of different widths disposed end to end relationship with the narrowestsection of each space adjacent the ring tfifthewidest section adjacent the ring 3'3, and the section of intermediate width between the sections of minimum and maximum width, so that'potatoesorotherlobjects to be graded, when fed into the cylinder through the head 35, Will be sorted in a manner such that the smaller objects will fallthrough the portions of the spaces between adjacent, slats nearest the ring 45, objects of intermediatesise will fall through the portions of the spacesinter- ,mediate the length of the cylinder, apdobjects I of maximum .size will be, carried to the end-of the cylinder adjacentthe ring Aland will -fall through the space portionsaof rmaigirnum width.

Objectsof a size too large to be discharged through the space sections 1 of v Ina rirr um width V Qmounted on the frame A in such a manner that one end is disposed between the posts Ill and I3 above the upper end member and the trough is inclined downwardly toward the cylinder D ,anduhas its other end disposed within the cylindrical flange 5}; of the ring 55 to feed potatoes into the cylinder D for grading.

1 The bin. structure F has transverse end walls 51 and 5B and is divided by transverse partition walls59 and Eli into three compartments SI, 62 and 63 of substantially equal lengths, disposed respectively below the sections. of. minimum,-'intermeoliate andmaxirnum widthsnof the spaces .betweenadjacent-slats. of thegrading cylinder,

so: that objects-falling through the corresponding sections of the-spaces will-fall into theappropriatecompartments of the .binstructure from which they mayrbeoremoved for further processing, Lstorage, or transportation.

.A spiral vane structure-65 isndisposed -within the, cylinder D.;and winds. in anger fashion from the headof the cylinderitolth'e head- 36 vcircumspatially of; the; shaft B in such a.direction that it, forces the objectsinthe cylinder to move in, a direction from thehead v35- toward-the head 36 was the cylinder .rotates. This spiral vane structure A35 is preferably independent of the .slats d1, and is. provided with peripheral recesses,

" as indicated atwfili. in Figure 4, inwardly of alter- ,nate slats 4l,of. thergrading cylinder.

The alternate slats adjacent the peripheral depressions in the. spiral vanestructure are'rockableinthecylinderlheads-35 and 33, and the .center -ro.ds, ,48 of these slats project through ,the ring 46. ;Holl0w-cam structures-61 0felliptical shape are mounted onevon each ofthe rods "43 of the alternate/slats ll and are -d isposed at the outerusideofthe.ringJB. These'car'ns are secured substantially at the mid-length; lo-

cation .of one of the sides-thereof to the 1 corresponding rod members with the rod members disposed inside vof. thehollow cam structures and a :lever, as indicated at 68, l is secured to and extends transverselyaa'cross each of the elliptical cam; members-6:1 and. projects radiallyoutwardly of the peripheral edge ofthe ring '56.

a ted above, the alternate slats on which the eam members; 61 are mounted are angularly rockable theringlmembers 46 andbut theremaining slats are held againstisubstantial roclgingrnovement. bycontactthereof with; the peripheral edge .oftthelspiral vane structure 65.

A camv guide-10 in the formof a circular band of substantially;cylindrical shape is disposed adjacent the outer sideof the ringAEwith: its inner surface 4, substantially flush -W-ith the: peripheral edge of the ring 46 and thiscam guide is secured in position by arms 1 l. and-'12- extending from the rupperjsidemembers: t8 and. I9 of the-frametothe cam guide at substantially diametrically opposite locations around the. camwguide andrigidly secured tothe frameside members and the'cam guide. ,Asthe cylinder Dro'tates, the outer sides ,of the ellipticallcams B1 slide around the inner ,surface. of t the cylindrical, cam .guidev 'lilliandilthe -oarns hold :the associated slats in position in rotation of 1 the cylinder. levers 68 with the tongue from the slats any potatoes which y a e t ns sebstami llr -n ,tial to a cylindricalsurface including the inner edges of the rings 46 and 4b., i

a e normewll nn has gu delin me d d-ti hes iu ta d i c e ii t n somewhat rectangulan shape having legs 14 and come jammed; between adjacent; slats, causing these potatoes to fall back onto the mass of ungraded potatoes in the cylindeifand clear the slats oftheir clogged orchoked condition.

A bar 18 is mounted on the leg 14 of the arched portion 13 of the cam guide and extends inwardly of the ring 46. This bar carries a shoe 19 on its inner end which shoe engages the inner sides of the cams 61 as the cams are moved past the shoe by the rotation of the cylinder D and this engagement of the cams with the shoe 19 restores the slats to their normal positions. After the cams pass the shoe lathe outer sides of the cams come into engagement with the inner side of the cam guide and the slats are held in normal po- 7 sition as they move from the leg 14 back to the leg of the arched portion of the cam guide.

The grading device is continuous in operation and, as potatoes or other objects are fed into the grading cylinder D through the feed trough E they are dispensed out of the cylinder in graded sizes into the corresponding structure F.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

, What is claimed is:

1. In a potato grader including a supporting frame, bearing blocks mounted on said frame, a shaft journaled in said bearing blocks and disposed in substantially horizontal position in said frame, power means drivingly connected to said shaft and a bin structure mounted on said frame below said shaft, a grading cylinder structure compartments of the bin other, each of said mounted on said shaft coaxially thereof and comprising cylinder head structures concentrically mounted on said shaft at spaced apartlocations therealong and each including a hub, spokes projecting radially from said hub and a flat ring secured to said spokes at the outer ends thereof, slats extending between and journaled at their ends in said rings and disposed in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other, each of said slats including longitudinally extending portions of diiferent widths disposed in end to end relationship to each other between said rings, a fixed ring of substantially circular shape mounted on said frame and disposed adjacent one of said heads, means carried by some of said slats and engaging said fixed ring to hold the corresponding slats in operative position in p ediasub tan ally rie n el ii ra ia rlft h ur d m a po a the o t n s ther t said cylinder, interengaging means carried by said slats and said fi xed ring effective torock aid mounted onsaidshaft coaxially thereof and comlris n isrlm e i hea tr ct res oncent c ll me ed on s id haft atspac ia artlq s ien h rsa o a an a i d n allu rs q es Prosaidhu ands a linse sla en in b t eni il .isu nalsd ati eir i s sa r n s an i rQsedlin s sqss e r and substantially parallel relationship to each slats including longitudinally extending portions of different widths disposed in end to end relationship to each other between said rings, a. fixed ring of substantially circular shape mounted on said frame and disposed adjacent one of said heads, means carried by some of said and engaging said fixed ring to hold the corresponding slats in operative position in said cylinder, interengaging means carried by said slats and said fixed ring effective to rock said slats at a predetermined position in the rotation of said cylinder, and a feed trough mounted on said frame and extending into one end of said cylinder structure, said means engaging said fixed ring comprising cam structures of substantially elliptical shape secured one on each of the corresponding slats at the ends of such slats adjacent said fixed ring, and said interengaging means comprising a tongue mounted on said fixed ring and levers mounted one on each of said cam structures and successively brought into engagement with said tongue by rotation of said cylinder to rock the corresponding slats about their longitudinal center lines as axes.

3. A potato grader comprising a supporting frame, a shaft journaled near its opposite ends on said frame and disposed in substantially horizontal position therein, power means drivingly connected to said shaft at one end thereof, a grading cylinder structure mounted on said shaft coaxially thereof, a feed trough mounted on said frame and extending into one end of said cylinder structure, and a bin structure mounted on said frame below said cylinder structure for receiving graded potatoes from the latter, said grading cylinder structure comprising cylinder heads mounted on said shaft at spaced apart 1ocations therealong, slats extending between said heads in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other and pivotally mounted at their opposite ends in said cylinder heads near the outer edges of the latter, alternate slats having means cooperating with means on said frame to impart rocking movement to each of said alternate slats at a predetermined angular position thereof in the rotation of said cylinder, and a spiral vane structure disposed immediatelywithin said slats and wound in auger fashion from one of said heads to the other.

4. A potato grader comprising a supporting frame, a shaft journaled near its opposite ends on said frame and disposed in substantially horizontal position therein, power means drivingly slats 7 connec'te dft'o said shaft at one end thereof; a grading-cylinderstructure mounted on said shaft 'coaxially thereof, a-feed trough mounted onsaid frame and extending" into'one end ofsaid cylinder structure, and'a binstructure mounted on said frame below said cylinder structure for re- 'ce'i'ving graded potatoes from the latter, said grading cylinder strueture comprising cylinder heads: mounted on said shaft at spaced apart 1ocations thereaiong,- slats extending between said heads in spaced aba rt and substantially parallel relationship to each other and pivotally mounted atth'eir oppositeends' in said cylinder heads near the outer edges of the latter, a spiral'vane structure disposed immediately within said slats and Wound in auger fashion from one of said heads to the'othens'ai'd vane structure being recessed toprovide-fred'om of rocking movement of alternate slats around-said cylinder about their longitudinal center lines a's'aiies, guide means mountedonsaid fra'rne adjacnt'one of said heads, an

8 abutment carried by said guide means, and means mounted on saidalternate slats and actuated by said abutment carried by said guidemeans to imbart a rocking movement to each of said alternate slats ata predetermined angular position thereof in-the rotation of said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this'patent' UNITED sTA Es PATENTS Number Name Date 489,650 Hogg Jan. 10, 1893 770,079 Lamb Sept. 13, 1904 1,135,770 Cody June 6, 1916 1,610,350 Anderson Dec. 14, 1926 nausea Herrold July 17, 1928 1,703,591 Olney Feb. 26, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date France May 20, 1925 

